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﻿Title: Chatterbox Stories of Natural History
Author: Anonymous
Language: English
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[Illustration]
CHATTERBOX
STORIES OF
NATURAL HISTORY
NEW YORK R. WORTHINGTON 770 BROADWAY.
COPYRIGHT,
1880,
By R. WORTHINGTON.
New York: J. J. Little & Co., Printers, 10 to 20 Astor Place.
* * * * *
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Transcriber's note: There was no Table of Contents in the original book,|
|and one has been provided for this version. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
THE KING OF THE CASTLE.
ZEBRA AND YOUNG.
MRS. BRUIN AND FAMILY.
LITTLE OWLS.
AUROCHS.
THE KANGAROO.
THE PEACOCK.
SWANS.
THE SEA LION.
A--THE ASS.
BADGERS.
THE BIRD'S NEST.
THE CHAMOIS.
JACKO WITH PUSSY'S BONE.
MEMBERS OF THE POACHING FRATERNITY.
A COW WORKING A PUMP.
CARRIER PIGEONS.
THE SIASIN, OR ANTELOPE OF INDIA.
THE COMMON SNIPE.
D--THE DOE.
MRS. BUNNY AND FAMILY.
THE LYNX.
THE SWAN AND THE DRAKE.
THE BEAVER.
LIONESS AND CUBS.
A PET JACK.
THE SWALLOW'S NEST.
THE BRAVE DOG OF ST. BERNARD.
G--THE GIRAFFE.
MOTHER-DEER AND BABY.
WHOOPING CRANE.
THE ELK.
TOYS FOR ANIMALS.
THE SUCKING-PIG.
BELL-RINGERS.
THE GUINEA-PIG.
J--THE JAY.
WAITING.
THE ARGUS.
THE YOUNG MONKEY.
THE CLEVER FOX.
TESTING HIS STRENGTH.
A WISE DOG.
M--THE MANDRILL.
SPRING.
SUMMER.
TIMOTHY.
THE BRAVE COCKATOO.
HARE TAKING THE WATER.
AUTUMN.
WINTER.
OUR WILD BIRDS.
P--THE PELICAN.
BLACKBIRDS AND YOUNG.
A USEFUL PILOT.
JACK.
S--THE SWALLOW.
A SINGULAR HABIT OF THE WOODCOCK.
THE SKY-LARK
THE STORY OF A SEAL.
THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS.
THE BEE.
V--THE VULTURE.
MOTHER AND PUPS.
THE FRIENDLY TERNS.
Y--THE YAK.
SHEEP AND LAMBS.
THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL.
A STROLL IN THE COUNTRY.
THE OTTER.
THE MASTIFF.
THE CUNNING WOOD-PIGEONS.
SEA REPTILES.
SWISS MOUNTAIN SCENERY.
PARTRIDGE AND YOUNG.
THE KINGFISHERS' HOME.
RATS CARRYING EGGS UP STAIRS.
A HERON ATTACKED BY A HAWK.
A HORSE GUARDIAN.
BATTLE BETWEEN A FOX AND A SWAN.
TOUSY.
* * * * *
[Illustration: CARLO.]
THE KING OF THE CASTLE.
As the lion is called the king of beasts, so the eagle is called the
king of birds; but except that it is bigger, stronger, and swifter than
other birds, there does not seem much reason for the name. It is a
mistake to attribute noble or mean qualities to animals or birds, or to
think they can do good or bad actions, when they can only do what God
has created them to do, and as their instinct teaches.
The most powerful of the eagles is the Golden Eagle, so called because
of the rich yellowish-brown bordering to its feathers. It makes its nest
in the clefts of the rocky sides of the mountains, and seldom on a tree,
unless where one has sprung up in between the clefts, and the tangled
roots make a sort of platform. This the eagles cover with sticks, and
here they make their house, living in it always, and not only when they
lay eggs or have young ones.
If there are eaglets in the nest, the food is at once carried home to
them, and the skinning and eating done at home. Eagles are very
attentive to their young, and feed them with great care until they are
able to take care of themselves.
[Illustration]
ZEBRA AND YOUNG.
Mrs. Zebra, standing with her baby by her side, asks proudly of the
lookers-on, "Did you ever see such a likeness?" and certainly mother and
child are very much alike, striped all over their bodies, from head to
foot, and from nose to tail, with the same regular marks of black.
Strong and wild by nature, the zebra family are left very much to
themselves, which is a source of great happiness to the mother and child
in the picture before us. "No! no! my baby is not going to become as
tame as the donkey, or to draw carts and carriages like the horse; it is
to have its freedom, and go just where it likes all over these large
plains;"--so says Mrs. Zebra, and she means it too, for if anybody took
the trouble to go all the way to the hot country of Africa, where Mrs.
Zebra is at home, and tried to carry off her baby, they would find their
journey a vain one, and that she would kick severely, and perhaps break
the legs of the person bold enough to take away her darling.
[Illustration]
MRS. BRUIN AND FAMILY.
This is the American black bear, who is looking so lively and seemingly
inviting the young folks to have a romp, which they will be only too
willing to join in. The black bear is of a timid disposition, and seldom
attacks man except in self-defense. The female bear is a most
affectionate mother, and many stories are related showing her care and
love for her young, and her sorrow and mournful cries when any evil
befalls them. On one occasion a black bear with her two cubs was pursued
across the ice by some armed sailors. At first she urged her cubs to
increased speed, but finding her pursuers gaining upon them, she
carried, pushed, and pitched them, alternately, forward, until she
effected their escape from her pursuers.
[Illustration]
LITTLE OWLS.
Who has not at one time or other of his life read fairy tales and
sympathized with stories of enchanted princes and princesses? I once
thought of this when a country boy offered me a nest with four of the
young of the Little Owl. I put them into a large cage, where they could
stare at each other and at my pigeons to their hearts' content.
Let me say that this little owl is a very useful bird, for it keeps
mice, bats, beetles, and other creatures in check, which might otherwise
multiply too fast. On a spring or summer evening you may hear its
plaintive hoot among the apple-blossoms of an orchard, or the sheaves of
a cornfield. Curiously enough, this simple sound earned the little bird
the name of being the harbinger of death, and peasants believed that
whenever its cry was heard where sickness was in the family, the patient
was sure to die.
[Illustration]
AUROCHS.
An Aurochs in blind rage, charging through thick and thin, has had a
fascination for me as long as I can remember. The true aurochs and this,
the European Bison, ceased to exist in the British Isles, except in the
Zoological Gardens; but the latter is still found wild in Lithuania, and
is also carefully preserved in other parts of Russia, of which the
Emperor has a herd. There is much talk about their being untamable--that
they will not mix with tame cattle--that tame cows shrink from the
aurochs' calves; but does not any cow shrink from any calf not her own?
The American Bison, with which you are all pretty familiar, is very
similar to the one just mentioned. There have been several attempts made
to domesticate the American bison, and have been so far successful. The
size and strength of the animal make it probable that if domesticated,
it would be of great use.
[Illustration]
THE KANGAROO.
"Well," said little Herbert Joyce, as he looked over the books of
drawings which his cousin had just brought home from Australia, "I never
saw anything so extraordinary before in all my life; why here is an
animal with three heads, and two of them are very low down, and much
smaller than the others." "What do you mean, Herbert?" asked his cousin,
who just then came into the room. "There are no three-headed
animals--let me see the picture. Oh! no wonder you were puzzled; it does
look like a queer creature. That is a kangaroo, and the small heads
belong to her children, whom she carries about in a bag formed by a hole
in her skin, until they are old enough to walk; and the little things
seem very happy there; and sometimes, as their mother moves along over
the grass, you may see them nibbling it."
[Illustration]
THE PEACOCK.
Proud bird! I watched thee stalking by,
With stately step and slow,
As though thou fain would'st charm each eye
With glittering pomp and show:
And truly thou art brave to see,
In heaven's hues arrayed,
And plainer birds at sight of thee
Might shrink and be dismayed:
Yet, pampered bird! there still are those
I value higher far,
Albeit their garb nor glints nor glows
With many a jeweled star.
I love them for their gentle ways,
Their voices soft and sweet
In summer chorus, that repays
Right well their winter's meat.
For what is outward form at best
But accident of birth?
That form in splendid raiment drest
Is still but common earth.
And yet 'tis he whose painted plumes
Shine fairest in the sun,
Who haughtiest look of pride assumes,
As though by him 'twere done.
We smile to see yon bird strut by,
Thus proud of his array;
But human friends we may espy
As foolish every day.
Not beauty's form nor grand attire
Upon the wise will tell,
But _acts_ of those who e'er aspire
To do their DUTY well.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: FEEDING THE PET.]
SWANS.
This beautiful and majestic bird was considered the bird-royal in
England, owing to a law of England that when found in a partially wild
state on the sea and navigable rivers it belonged to the crown; but of
course it is to be found on the ponds and lakes of many a gentleman's
estate, and is always prized as a great ornament to the lake. The swan
is also very valuable in clearing the ponds of weeds, and makes a most
effective clearance, as they eat them before they rise to the surface.
The swan affords a pleasing illustration of the love of the mother-bird
for its young, and has been known to vanquish a fox who made an attack
on its nest--showing that the instinct of motherhood kindles boldness
and bravery in the breast of the most timid animals. The nest is
generally made on an islet, and composed of reeds and rushes, and when
the five or seven large eggs are hatched, the mother may be seen
swimming about with the young ones on her back.
[Illustration]
THE SEA LION.
Although such large and powerful creatures, these sea lions are innocent
and playful. See, one of them has reared himself up on his hind legs, if
legs they may be called, and is sitting on a chair with his flappers
over the back of the chair. It inhabits the eastern shores of
Kamtchatka, and is in some places extremely abundant, and measuring
about fifteen feet in length. It is much addicted to roaring, which, as
much as the mane of the old males, has obtained for it the name of the
Sea Lion. The old males have a fierce appearance, yet they fly in great
haste on the approach of man, but if driven to extremities they will
fight desperately; but in captivity they are capable of being tamed, and
become very familiar with man. The scientific name of the sea lion is
Otary.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE LION.]
A--THE ASS.
_A Forbear to vex the patient Ass,
Its heaving sides to goad,
And far and safe its useful back
Will carry many a load._
B--THE BITTERN.
_In reedy swamp and lonely marsh,
Where all is shade and gloom,
The Bittern stalks, and you may hear
His voice in sullen boom._
C--THE CAMEL.
_The Camel is a useful beast,
Patient, and slow, and mild;
To man a blessing and a boon
In Afric's sandy wild._
BADGERS.
One day at the Zoological Gardens, I saw the group of Badgers as they
are here given. Little do visitors to the gardens take into account how
much a wild animal goes through till it has got used to a state of
things so opposite to its natural habits. Their wants are attended to as
much as possible, but cannot be always met; and so we have here a
devoted mother, worn out by the demands of her cubs, and vainly anxious
to hide herself from daylight and man's gaze. She has long given up
trying to dig or scratch her way out. All she can do is to lean against
the wall, ready for a last defence, should anybody come within her
prison. She dares not curl up into a ball, like the one cub, and go to
sleep; while this little careless imp on her back, happy and trustful,
adds to her tiredness by his weight.
[Illustration]
THE BIRD'S NEST.
"Her little nest, so soft and warm,
God teaches her to make it;
I would not dare to do her harm,
I would not dare to take it."
How curious is the structure of the nest of the Bullfinch or Chaffinch!
The inside of it is lined with cotton and fine silken threads; and the
outside cannot be sufficiently admired, though it is composed only of
various kinds of fine moss. The color of these mosses, resembling that
of the bark of the tree in which the nest is built, proves that the bird
intended it should not be easily discovered. In some nests, hair, wool,
and rushes are cleverly interwoven. In others, the parts are firmly
fastened by a thread, which the bird makes of hemp, wool, hair, or, more
commonly, of spiders' webs. Other birds--as, for instance, the blackbird
and the lapwing--after they have constructed their nests, plaster the
inside with mortar; they then stick upon it, while quite wet, some wool
or moss to give warmth; but all alike construct their nests so as to add
to their security.
[Illustration]
THE CHAMOIS.
The chamois are indeed high-born, for among the high mountain-peaks,
where the eternal snow rests and the Alpine roses bloom, there they make
their home! There they spring up over the snowy slopes to those heights
to which man cannot climb. They rest upon the glittering ice, the snow
does not blind them, neither does it cool their hot blood. Carelessly
they stride across the snowed-over crevices, and when the terrible
storms, at which men are so alarmed, hurl down rocks and avalanches from
the summits, the Chamois do not fear them. They find their way safely
through the thickest mist and darkest clouds. Agile and light-footed,
gentle and peaceable, proud and courageous, they lead a happy life among
the mountains, as long as man does not molest them.
[Illustration]
JACKO WITH PUSSY'S BONE.
Jacko is a bird called a Macaw, and has fine feathers--scarlet and
yellow and blue. Jacko can talk a little. He says, "Come along, Jacko,
come along;" and when you come, as soon as he thinks you near enough, he
pecks at you with his great beak. When he is in a good temper he will
say, "Poor, poor!" He will sit upon the ivy all the morning and talk to
himself, and he will call the gardener, and he will cough and sneeze,
and crow and cackle, in a very funny manner. If Jacko sees sparrows
picking up a few crumbs, he will rush up, sweeping his great wings along
the ground, and take their meal for himself. If he sees poor Pussy
picking a bone, he takes great delight in creeping down from his ivy,
helping himself down with beak and claws, and at a sight of Jacko's
approach Pussy darts away, leaving the bone in Jacko's possession.
Pussy, of course, does not like this, but stands at a respectable
distance, and with curved back and flashing eyes shows her indignation
at Jacko. Presently Jacko retires to the ivy and Pussy resumes her
feast.
[Illustration]
MEMBERS OF THE POACHING FRATERNITY.
Among the various wild animals which inhabit the earth, it is difficult
to decide which are really friendly and which are really hostile to
man's interests. The actual fact appears to be that there is neither
hostility nor friendship. If farmers and gardeners kill off too many
birds, nature revenges herself by sending a plague of insects which the
small birds, if alive, would have eaten. Gamekeepers ruthlessly shoot
hawks and kites, or snare stoats and polecats, with the result that
their game grows up too thick for its feeding ground, sickly specimens
are allowed to linger on, and a destructive murrain follows. The rook,
no doubt, is fond of eggs; but nevertheless he does the farmer good
service when he devours the grubs which are turned up by the plow; and
as the salmon disease, which of late has proved so destructive, is
attributed by the best authorities to overcrowding, that glossy-coated
fisherman, the otter, is really a benefactor to the followers of Izaak
Walton's gentle craft.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: NEDDY'S BREAKFAST.]
A COW WORKING A PUMP.
My informant writes me as follows: "We have a wonderful cow here--about
ten years old, and very clever at opening gates and breaking fences.
There is an Abyssinnian pump about three feet high in the center of the
field, near my house, over a trough, which is, or ought to be, filled
daily. It was on a hot day, when my man had omitted to pump the trough
full, that the cow was first observed to help herself: the way in which
she managed to pump was by pushing the handle up with her head and then
forcing it down with her horns. Very little elevation of the handle is
required to get water, and she would work it for five minutes together,
and sometimes drank from the spout, and sometimes from the trough."
[Illustration]
CARRIER PIGEONS.
The carrier pigeon is remarkable for the degree in which it possesses
the instinct and power of returning from a distance to its accustomed
home. In Eastern countries it is the practice to bathe the pigeon's feet
in vinegar to keep them cool, and to prevent it from alighting in quest
of water, by which the letter might sustain injury. Pigeons intended for
this use must be brought from the place to which they are to return,
within a short period, and must be kept in the dark and without food for
at least eight hours before being let loose. The carrier pigeon was of
great service during the siege of Paris in 1871, and conveyed many
important messages. It goes through the air at the rate of thirty miles
an hour, but has been known to fly even faster.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE GOLDEN EAGLE.
THE STORK.
THE VIRGINIAN HORNED OWL.
THE CRANE.]
[Illustration: THE WHALE.
THE ELEPHANT.
THE WHITE RHINOCEROS.
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS, OR BEHEMOTH.]
THE SIASIN, OR ANTELOPE OF INDIA.
The Siasin, or Antelope of India, roams over the open and rocky plains
of that immense country. It is distinguished from the rest of its family
by the beauty and singular shape of its horns, which are annulated or
ringed, and spirally convoluted or curved together, making two or more
turns, according to the age of the animal. The fakirs and dervishes of
India, who are enjoined by their religion from carrying swords,
frequently wear at their girdles the polished horns of the siasin
instead of the usual military arm. This antelope is one of the
fleetest-footed of its family, and its leap is something wonderful. It
is not uncommon for it to vault to the height of twelve or thirteen
feet, passing over ten or twelve yards at a single bound. In color it is
almost black on the upper part of the body, and light-colored beneath.
When full grown, it is about the size of our common deer.
[Illustration]
THE COMMON SNIPE.
These birds frequent swampy woods, marshes, morasses, and the borders of
rivers. Their usual time for seeking their food is early in the morning
and during the twilight of the evening. They subsist principally upon
insects and worms; for these they search among the decayed leaves, and
probe the mud and ooze with their lengthened bills. When alarmed, they
generally lie close to the ground, or among the grass, or, suddenly
starting on the wing, escape by flight, which is short but elevated,
rapid, and irregular. The eggs, which are four in number, are deposited
on the ground. In the snipe, and all its immediate allies, the bill is
thickened, soft, and very tender at its extremity; so that this part,
which is richly supplied with nerves, serves as a delicate organ of
touch, and is used for searching in the soft ground for the insects and
worms that constitute the food of these birds.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: A VISIT TO THE MONKEYS.]
D--THE DOE.
Graceful and gentle is the Doe;
Its tawny coat how sleek!
How bright yet tender are its eyes!
Its glance how softly meek!
E--THE EAGLE.
Upon the lonely mountain peak
The eagle builds her nest,
And there, when weary of the chase,
In silence takes her rest.
F--THE FOX.
The Fox will skulk in ferny brake,
Yet loves the haunts of men;
And prowls around the farm, to pounce
On capon, goose, or hen.
MRS. BUNNY AND FAMILY.
This wild Rabbit has been startled by some noise, and the next moment
she may be scampering away to her burrow, with the little bunnies, at
the top of their speed, and crouch there until all is quiet again.
Rabbits usually select, if possible, a sandy soil overgrown with furze,
in which to make their burrows, as such a soil is easily removed, and
the dense prickly furze hides their retreat, whilst it affords them a
wholesome and never-failing food. These furze bushes are constantly
eaten down, as far as the rabbits can reach standing on their hind legs,
and consequently present the appearance of a solid mass with the surface
even and rounded. These animals retire into their burrows by day to
rest, and come out only in the twilight to obtain food.
[Illustration]
THE LYNX.
The body of the lynx, beautifully spotted with black and brown rings, is
more solid and hardy than that of the wild cat. His ears are longer, his
tail is shorter, his great eyes light up like bright flames; and since
he prowls about chiefly at night, he is thought to have very keen sight.
For this reason, when we wish to say that a person can see very clearly
or can look beyond the outward appearance of things, we call him
_lynx-eyed_. Like all cats, the lynx possesses in his mustache a very
correct power of feeling. This, with the sense of hearing and sight,
guides him in all his expeditions.
The lynx in the picture is in the act of springing upon a timid hare.
Although he can measure twenty paces in a jump, I think for once he has
made a misstep, and the dear little creature with one more bound will be
safe. One very remarkable fact about these animals is this: if there are
several together, and one starts over the snow in pursuit of booty, all
the others will follow in exactly the same tracks, so that it will look
as if but one lynx had passed over the snow-covered earth.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: GOOD MORNING, BIRDIE!]
THE SWAN AND THE DRAKE.
Slowly, in majestic silence,
Sailed a Swan upon a lake;
Round about him, never quiet,
Swam a noisy quacking Drake.
"Swan," exclaimed the latter, halting,
"I can scarcely comprehend
Why I never hear you talking:
Are you really dumb, my friend?"
Said the Swan, by way of answer:
"I have wondered, when you make
Such a shocking, senseless clatter,
Whether you are deaf, Sir Drake!"
Better, like the Swan, remain in
Silence grave and dignified,
Than keep, drake-like, ever prating,
While your listeners deride.
W. R. E.
[Illustration]
THE BEAVER.
This industrious animal is generally found in Canada and the northern
portions of the United States, where it makes its home on the banks of
the rivers and lakes. Here they assemble in hundreds to assist each
other in the construction of their dams, and in the building of their
houses, which are put together with a considerable amount of engineering
skill. The materials used in building the dams are wood, stones, and
mud, which they collect themselves for that purpose, and after finishing
the dam, or winter storehouse, they collect their stores for the
winter's use, and then make a connection with their houses in the banks.
Their skins are valuable in making fine hats, and their flesh is much
relished by the hunters. The beaver is an interesting animal in many
respects, and the expression "busy as a beaver" is borne out by its
habits.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE TURTLE-DOVE.]
[Illustration: THE CUCKOO.]
[Illustration: THE PEACOCK.]
[Illustration: THE TAME, OR MUTE SWAN.]
[Illustration: THE LIONESS AND CUBS.]
[Illustration: THE LEOPARD.]
[Illustration: THE SYRIAN BEAR.]
[Illustration: THE JACKAL.]
LIONESS AND CUBS.
The lioness is much smaller than the lion, and her form is more slender
and graceful. She is devoid of the mane of her lord and master, and has
four or five cubs at a birth, which are all born blind. The young lions
are at first obscurely striped and spotted. They mew like cats, and are
as playful as kittens. As they get older, the uniform color is gradually
assumed. The mane appears in the males at the end of ten or twelve
months, and at the age of eighteen months it is very considerably
developed, and they begin to roar. Both in nature and in a state of
captivity the lioness is very savage as soon as she becomes a mother,
and the lion himself is then most to be dreaded, as he will then brave
almost any risk for the sake of his lioness and family.
[Illustration]
A PET JACK.
The first fish I ever saw in an aquarium, twenty years ago, was a
"Jack," as he is called when young, or a "Pike," when he grows older;
and ever since then I have contrived to have a pet one, and this, drawn
from life by Mr. Harrison Weir, is an accurate portrait of the one I now
possess in the Crystal Palace Aquarium. There he is, just as he steals
round the corner of a bit of rock. He is glaring at a minnow, at which
he is taking most accurate aim; he hardly seems to move, but yet he does
by a very trifling motion of the edge of his back fin--sometimes resting
a little on the tips of his two foremost fins, as they touch the ground,
carefully calculating his distance; and then, at the very moment when
the minnow has got into a position which leaves a space of clear water
in front, so that Mr. Jack shall not hurt his nose against any hard
substance when he gets carried on by the violence of his rush, he darts
at the minnow with the speed of Shakspeare's Puck:--
"I go, I go! look, how I go!
Swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow."
[Illustration]
THE SWALLOW'S NEST.
Often in former years the twitter of the birds glittering in the morning
sun was the first sound that met my ear during the wakeful hours which
frequently accompany illness after the worst crisis has passed, and you
are recovering by degrees. The gutters ran beneath my bedroom windows,
and I could see the steel-blue backs of the swallows as they sat on the
rims of the gutter, twisting their little heads, opening their
yellow-lined beaks, singing to their hearts' content. Whole families
would perch there together, or the young would rest in rows of four or
five, according to the nest-broods of each. How delightful to see them
fed by their agile parents! how tantalizing to have them almost within
reach of my hands, yet not to be able to catch them or give them a kiss,
as they would cower in my hollow hands if I only could have got them in
there!
[Illustration]
THE BRAVE DOG OF ST. BERNARD.
Where the St. Bernard Pass climbs up
Amid the Alpine snows,
The far-famed Hospice crowns the heights
With shelter and repose.
Its inmates, with their faithful dogs,
Are truly friends in need
When snowdrifts block the traveler's way,
And blinding storms mislead.
Brave "Barry," once, far down the track
That crossed a glacier steep,
Found buried deep beneath the snow
A poor boy, fast asleep.
He licked the cold, numb hands and face
To warmth and life once more,
And bore him safely on his back
Up to the Hospice door.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: COME TO ME!]
G--THE GIRAFFE.
_Full seventeen feet the Giraffe tall
Measures "from top to toe,"
And with his neck outstretched can reach
The branch that bendeth low._
[Illustration]
H--THE HYENA.
_In Asia and in Africa
The fierce Hyenas prowl,
And oft at night the traveler starts
To hear their savage howl._
[Illustration]
I--THE ICHNEUMON.
_A foe to birds and rats and mice,
See the Ichneumon glide!
Oft, too, on reptiles or their eggs
Its hungry teeth are tried._
MOTHER-DEER AND BABY.
Something has startled them, as they fed securely enough, one would
think, on the grass at the foot of the rocks; and if we could only get a
little nearer, this is what we should hear the mother-deer saying to her
baby: "My child, I am sure there is danger about; look out and tell me
if you see the slightest movement on the hill yonder, or if I see it
first, I will give you the signal, and you must follow me, and run for
your very life." And the baby, with cocked ears and glistening eyes,
promises to do as it is told. But after all it will probably prove a
false alarm, for this is not the time of year for deerstalking; and I
dare say the noise they heard was made by a party of people coming up
the valley below to see the waterfall, which is famous in the
neighborhood.
[Illustration]
WHOOPING CRANE.
The Whooping Crane is much larger than the common crane, which it
otherwise much resembles except in color; its plumage, in its adult
state, is pure white, the tips of the wings black. He spends the winter
in the southern parts of North America, and in summer migrates far
northwards. The crane feeds on roots, seeds, etc., as well as on
reptiles, worms, insects, and on some of the smaller quadrupeds. They
journey in flocks from fifty to a hundred, and rise to an immense height
in the air, uttering their loud harsh cries, and occasionally alighting
to seek food in fields or marshes; and when they descend on a field they
do sad havoc to the crops, several doing sentinel duty while the
majority are feeding. In general it is a very peaceful bird, both in its
own society and those of the forest.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE RAVEN.
THE RING-DOVE.
THE HOOPOE.
THE COCK.]
[Illustration: THE IBEX, OR ROCK GOAT.
DEER.
THE SYRIAN GOAT.
THE ROE.]
THE ELK.
This is the largest existing species of the deer family, and is a native
of the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It grows to be six
feet high and twelve hundred pounds in weight. They are very rare in
Europe and this country, but at one time they extended as far south as
the Ohio River. They love the woods and marshy places, and live off of
the branches of trees, being unable to eat grass unless they get upon
their knees. They are very timid, and not easily approached by the
hunter, but should a dog come in the way, one stroke from an elk's foot
will kill it. Many of the parents of our little friends in Maine and
Canada are, no doubt, familiar with the elk and its habits.
[Illustration]
TOYS FOR ANIMALS.
The "Daily News" says: "Our readers have often doubtless observed
appeals in the papers for toys for sick children. We hear that a
naturalist who feels much for animals is struck with the cruelty of
leaving the creatures at the 'Zoo' without anything to play with. This
gentleman had in his possession a young otter, for whom he made a wooden
ball, to the extreme delight of his pet, who used to divert his simple
instinct with it for whole hours at a stretch. Following up the idea,
the same gentleman presented the elephants and rhinoceroses in the
Zoological Gardens with globes for diversion suited to their sizes, but
it seems the elephants took to playing ball so furiously, that 'there
was danger of their houses being swept down altogether; so they were
forbidden to use them indoors.' The polar bear was given a toy which, we
are told, 'amuses him immensely.'"
[Illustration]
THE SUCKING-PIG.
The other day our children came home delighted at having seen a little
pig drinking out of a bottle, just like a baby. I went to see it, and I
was introduced to its owner, who lived in a cottage, the principal room
of which was painted light blue. A good-natured old woman was there with
her two orphan grand-children. The red tiles of the cottage floor were
enlivened by a gray-and-white cat, and a shiny-skinned little pig, of
about a month old, which was fed out of a feeding-bottle. This was the
hero of the place.
The little pig is grateful for good treatment, and as capable of
attachment as a horse or a dog. The pig is intelligent, and it can be
taught tricks. Performing pigs are often the attractions of country
fairs. I have seen pigs in the poor neighborhoods of London follow their
masters through noisy streets, and into busy public-houses, where they
laid down at their masters' feet like a dog.
[Illustration]
BELL-RINGERS.
When a child, my father took me to see some feats performed by some
traveling cats. They were called "the bell-ringers," and were
respectively named Jet, Blanche, Tom, Mop, and Tib.
Five bells were hung at regular intervals on a round hoop erected on a
sort of stage. A rope was attached to each bell after the manner of
church bells. At a given signal from their master, they all sprang to
their feet, and at a second signal, each advanced to the ropes, and
standing on their hind feet, stuck their front claws firmly into the
ropes, which were in that part covered with worsted, or something of the
kind, so as to give the claws a firmer hold. There was a moment's
pause--then No. 1 pulled his or her rope, and so sounded the largest
bell; No. 2 followed, then No. 3, and so on, till a regular peal was
rung with almost as much precision and spirit as though it were human
hands instead of cats' claws that effected it.
[Illustration]
THE GUINEA-PIG.
The Guinea-pig is a native of South America, and is remarkable for the
beauty and variety of its colors, and the neatness of its appearance.
These little pets are very careful in keeping themselves and their
offspring neat and tidy, and may be frequently seen smoothing and
dressing their fur, somewhat in the manner of a cat. After having
smoothed and dressed each other's fur, both turn their attention to
their young, from whose coats they remove the smallest speck of dirt, at
the same time trying to keep their hair smooth and unruffled. The
Guinea-pig feeds on bread, grain, fruit, vegetables, tea leaves, and
especially garden parsley, to which it is very partial. It generally
gives birth to seven and eight young at a time, and they very soon are
able to take care of themselves.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: FAITHFUL FRIENDS.]
[Illustration]
J--THE JAY.
_Methinks the Jay's a noisy bird,
Yet now with crimson breast,
Silent and fond, she watches o'er
The treasures of her nest._
[Illustration]
K--THE KANGAROO.
_The timid Kangaroo frequents
The wild Australian brakes;
With long hind-legs and fore-legs short
Tremendous leaps he takes._
[Illustration]
L--THE LION.
_With tawny hide and flowing mane,
And loud-resounding roar,
Of animals the Lion's king,
And all bow down before._
WAITING.
Waiting for master to come down the stair,
Are "Noble" and "Floss," and his favorite mare--
"Brenda" the gentle, with skin soft and gray,
Waiting the signal, "Now off and away."
Noble stands holding the whip and the rein,
His gaze fixed on Brenda, who tosses her mane;
While dear little Floss sits quietly by,
Winking and blinking her liquid brown eye.
Master's so kind to them--nothing to fear
Have horse or dogs when his footsteps they hear;
Look how they're waiting with eagerness there,
Ready to go with him everywhere.
And what a pleasure it is when these three
There on the staircase their kind master see;
Now he is mounted, the waiting is o'er--
Floss, Brenda, and Noble race off from the door.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE BABOON.
THE ORANG-OUTAN.
THE BARBARY APE.
THE MARIMONDA.]
[Illustration: THE FOUR-HORNED RAM.
THE CHAMOIS.
THE ETHIOPIAN HOG.
THE OTTER.]
THE ARGUS.
The Argus is a bird with magnificent plumage; it inhabits the forests of
Java and Sumatra, and takes its place beside the pheasant, from which it
only differs in being unprovided with spurs, and by the extraordinary
development of the secondary feathers of the wings in the male. The tail
is large and round, and the two middle feathers are extremely long and
quite straight. When paraded, as it struts round the female, spreading
its wings and tail, this bird presents to the dazzled eye of the
spectator two splendid bronze-colored fans, upon which is sprinkled a
profusion of bright marks much resembling eyes. It owes its name of
Argus to these spots.
[Illustration]
THE YOUNG MONKEY.
A little Monkey chanced to find
A walnut in its outward rind;
He snatched the prize with eager haste,
And bit it, but its bitter taste
Soon made him throw the fruit away.
"I've heard," he cried, "my mother say
(But she was wrong), the fruit was good;
Preserve me from such bitter food!"
A monkey by experience taught,
The falling prize with pleasure caught;
Took off the husk and broke the shell,
The kernel peeled, and liked it well.
"Walnuts," said he, "are good and sweet,
But must be opened ere you eat."
And thus in life you'll always find
Labor comes first--reward behind.
[Illustration]
THE CLEVER FOX.
One summer's day on the banks of the river Tweed, in Scotland, a fox sat
watching a brood of wild ducks feeding in the river. Presently a branch
of a fir tree floated in their midst, which caused them to rise in the
air, and after circling round for some time, they again settled down on
their feeding ground. At short intervals this was repeated, the branch
floating from the same direction, until the ducks took no further notice
of it than allowing it to pass by. Mr. Reynard noticed this; so he got a
larger branch than the others, and crouching down among the leaves, got
afloat, and coming to the ducks, who took no notice of the branch, he
seized two of the ducks, and then allowed himself to be floated to the
other side, where, we suppose, he had a repast.
[Illustration]
TESTING HIS STRENGTH.
See this monster of the forest uprooting trees, as a test of its
strength before entering on a fight with one of its companions, which is
often a bitter struggle for supremacy. There are two species of
Elephants, the Indian and African; the ears of the latter are much
larger than the Indian, covering the whole shoulder, and descending on
the legs. Elephants live in herds, and each herd has a leader--generally
the largest and most powerful animal--who exercises much control over
the herd, directing its movements, and giving the signal in the case of
danger. The trunk of the Elephant is of great service to it, and is a
wonderful combination of muscle; Curier, the famous Naturalist, stating
that there is not far short of 40,000 muscles, having distinct action,
and so giving it an acute sense of touch and smell--so much so, that it
can pick up a pin, or pluck the smallest leaf. The Elephant is generally
about ten feet high, and sometimes reaches to twelve feet, and lives to
the age of seventy or eighty years.
[Illustration]
A WISE DOG.
There is a curly retriever at Arundel bearing the name of "Shock," which
sets an example of good manners and intelligence to the animals which
are not dumb. He carries the cat of the stables tenderly in his mouth,
and would carry the kitten, but at present the kitten prefers its own
means of locomotion. When Sanger's elephant got into trouble in the
river Arun, this wise Shock was sent to turn him out, and his
perseverance succeeded. He often will insist on carrying a bundle of
umbrellas to the station, and safely he delivers them to their owners,
and then, with many wags of his brown tail, he demands a halfpenny for
his trouble. This halfpenny he carries to the nearest shop, lays it on
the counter, and receives his biscuit in return. Need we say this dog
has a kind, sensible master?
[Illustration]
[Illustration: SUMMER.]
[Illustration]
M--THE MANDRILL.
_In Africa the Mandrill lives,
Full five feet tall he stands;
With furrowed cheek-bones, tufted hair,
And hairy arms and hands._
[Illustration]
N--THE NYLGHAU.
_In Hindustan's dense forest-depths,
Among the tangled groves,
With slender limbs but powerful frame
The shapely Nylghau roves._
[Illustration]
O--THE OSTRICH.
_O'er desert sands the Ostrich skims,
Beneath a burning sky;
Swift as the swiftest horse he runs,
But has no wings to fly._
[Illustration]
SPRING.
When Spring's soft breath sets free the rills,
And melts the Winter's hoards of snow,
How fast they leap adown the hills,
How wildly t'wards old ocean flow!
Jack Frost! we gladly part with thee,
For long indeed thy iron hand
Hath crushed the flowers relentlessly
That longed to brighten all the land.
And now the busy plow can trace
Its furrows through the fallow ground,
While countless lovely blossoms grace
The blooming fruit trees all around.
Yet though the snow amidst the brook
Is gliding fast--it fain would stay,
And as it takes a lingering look,
Says:--"Listen ere I flow away!
"Soon as Spring spoke its royal word,
I humbly doffed my wintry cap--
But when the north wind's voice was heard,
I covered up the earth's green lap.
"And gently swathed each baby flower,
As snug as in a feather bed--
Until in field, and wood, and bower,
Their fragrance might be safely shed.
"And now my snowdrops gaily ring
A merry peal to herald May--
And all rejoice at coming Spring,
While I must hasten far away!"
[Illustration]
SUMMER.
Now the corn has grown ripe in the Summer's hot days,
And the reaping began with the sun's early rays,
Mike and Jack since the morn,
Have been cutting the corn,
Which is bound up by Peggy and Sue;
And gay, flaunting poppies and flow'rets of blue
Wag their heads o'er the sheaves and seem nodding at you.
But when noon's sultry hour proves oppressively hot,
The reapers look out for a cool, shady spot,
And a respite they snatch,
Their short meal to dispatch,
And well earned indeed is their rest!
While the children give chase to the hare that's hard prest,
Or the bird by the harvest disturbed from her nest.
For what care the children for heat or for work,
At that age when all labor so gaily we shirk?
Play, then, little ones, play,
And enjoy while ye may,
But to all of God's creatures be kind--
Then when months have rolled by and left Summer behind,
Its joys unalloyed shall still dwell in your mind.
TIMOTHY.
Timothy was our pet hedgehog. I bought him in Leadenhall Market, brought
him home, and put him into the back-garden, which is walled in. There,
to that extent, he had his liberty, and many, and many a time did I
watch him from my study window walking about in the twilight among the
grass, searching for worms and other insects. And very useful was he to
the plants by so doing. When the dry weather came food got more scarce;
then Timothy was fed with bread and milk from the back-kitchen window,
which is on a level with the stone. Soon he came to know that when he
was hungry there was the supply; and often he would come and scratch at
the glass or at the back-door for his supper, and after getting it, walk
off to the garden beds to make himself useful. Few people know of the
great use of a hedgehog in a garden, or they would be more generally
kept. Our Timothy, poor fellow, however, in spite of all his good
qualities, came to a bad end. A strange dog coming one day, saw him
walking about in search of his accustomed food, and pounced on him and
bit him; still I had hopes of his recovery, but in a few days he died,
and all of us were sorry.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: GOLD ORE.
SILVER ORE.
TIN ORE.
IRON ORE.]
[Illustration: NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN.
MONGOLIAN.
CAUCASIAN. HEAD OF BELVEDERE APOLLO.
CAUCASIAN.--MODERN TURK.]
THE BRAVE COCKATOO.
One Charles Durand, of whose travels and adventures a book has been
written, owned a cockatoo, which he carried about with him on his
journeys; the bird's name was Billy, and he seems to have been as wise
as he was loving. Charles was asleep in his tent, when he was roused by
a sharp, shrill cry of the bird, of "Time to rise! time to rise!"
accompanied by a violent flapping of the wings. So awakened, Charles
looked around, wondering what had disturbed his feathered friend. The
cause was soon plain--a deadly snake lay coiled up close to his bed,
prepared to spring on the defenseless man. Just when he thought that all
hope was at an end, the brave cockatoo sprang from his perch, seized the
reptile by the neck, and held him tight till his master could summon
help.
[Illustration]
HARE TAKING THE WATER.
I was pike-fishing one season on the Dorset Stour below Canford Major,
when on passing from one field to another, I disturbed a hare. The
animal at once entered an open, dry drain, and I lost sight of her.
Presently, as I silently made my way plying my rod by the bank, I saw
her, this time without any appearance of alarm, take to the water, and
making her way through the sedges. She put her head to the stream so
that the force of the current, with but slight exertion by swimming on
her part, carried her nearly in a straight line to the opposite bank.
Here I watched her to see whether she would trundle herself like a dog,
but she merely rested a bit, letting the water run from her, and then
set off at a rattling pace across the mead, which doubtless soon
thoroughly dried her.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
AUTUMN.
The breeze is somewhat cooler growing,
The flowers less scent unfold--
But see!--the luscious grape is growing
With purple or with gold.
Now drain we up
The social cup,
When music blithe invites us--
Though Winter threatens from afar
Our present mirth he shall not mar,
While Autumn still delights us.
Yes! Autumn brings the best of pleasures,
With grape and garnered corn--
And lays in stores of future treasures
To glad the year unborn.
What need we dread,
When wine and bread
God's bounteous hand hath given?
Oh! rather let our voices raise,
In fervent hope and humble praise,
A grateful hymn to Heaven!
[Illustration]
WINTER.
Stern Winter--most unwelcome guest!--
The earth in whitest robes has drest;
And hast'ning through the crunching snow,
With tinkling bells, the sledges go.
The leafless wood looks drear and sad,
No birds sing now with voices glad;--
But boys are romping far and wide,
And o'er the ice delight to slide.
When on the panes with frost encased,
The mimic fir-trees may be traced,
In spite of biting cold and snow,
Poor housewives to the forest go.
And there they gather moss to form
Their children's bed all soft and warm,
And dried up twigs to make a blaze
That cheers the hearth with kindling rays.
Their treasures next the ashes yield,
And hot potatoes lie revealed,
Which little hungry mouths invite,
With dainty smell and welcome sight.
Lord! all Thy ways are great and good!
Thou giv'st e'en orphaned birds their food--
Thy blessing and Thy fostering care
Alike the hut and palace share!
OUR WILD BIRDS.
I dare say you notice that all the birds in this picture have long
beaks. We may be sure from this that they live in places and seek for
their food in ways in which long beaks are just what they want. The fact
is they are all marsh birds, and the soil of marshes being wet and soft,
and full of worms, these long beaks enable them to probe it, and so get
at the worms. I think the beaks of birds afford a striking example of
how good God is in adapting creatures to the mode of life He has
appointed for them. The eagles and hawks, you know, are provided with
strong, short bills to enable them to seize and tear flesh. Those of
canaries and all the finches are just the very instruments to crack
seeds with. Parrots, with their tremendous weapons, can crush the
hardest nuts of the tropic forest. The crossbill is fitted with a
wonderful tool for tearing fir-cones to pieces. Robins and the other
warblers have soft bills, which are all they want for eating insects and
grubs.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
I would rather be my lady's hawk,
And perch upon her hand,
Than I would be the deerhound grim,
To range this forest-land.
[Illustration]
P--THE PELICAN.
_On river banks, on shores of lakes,
Or marge of sounding sea,
The Pelican, in quest of fish,
Roams uncontrolled and free._
[Illustration]
Q--THE QUAIL.
_When come the leaves and buds of spring
Then comes the swift-winged quail:
But ever quits our western lands
Before the winter pale._
[Illustration]
R--THE RHINOCEROS.
_Down to the waterside to drink,
Within the jungle's shade,
Has come the huge Rhinoceros,
In knotty hide arrayed._
BLACKBIRDS AND YOUNG.
A country lad having taken the nest of some blackbirds containing young
ones, made off with it, but was closely pursued by the parents, who
tried to peck his face so as to make him give them up. Mr. Jesse relates
a similar instance, where a pair of old birds followed a boy into a
house, pecking at his head while he was carrying off one of their young
ones. People little think of the misery they cause when they rob the
birds of their nestlings.
The bird's nest is thus described:
Now put together odds and ends,
Picked up from enemies and friends:
See bits of thread and bits of rag,
Just like a little rubbish bag.
[Illustration]
A USEFUL PILOT.
There is a trained sheep kept on board a steamer plying in California.
It goes out on the gang-plank, when a flock is to be loaded, to show
that the approach is safe, and to act as pilot to the flock, which
readily follows it on to the boat. The sheep, when in a flock, are all
alike timid, and it is difficult to find a leader among them, each being
afraid to go first; but when one goes, they all follow after, so that
this clever sheep is very valuable. The only other way to get a flock on
board a ship is to catch one and drag it on board; but this is not such
a good way as having the clever "Pilot."
[Illustration]
JACK.
The name of the bear is "Jack." I fetched him from the West India Import
Dock on the 5th of November, 1870. He was running about with another
bear on board ship, but the job was to catch him. After many attempts we
at last put a strong collar round his neck, to which was attached a long
chain, and then we got him into a large barrel, and fastened the head on
with hoop-iron, lowered him over the side of the vessel into a boat, and
then pulled to the quay, and hauled him up into a cart. For a time the
little fellow was quiet enough, but he got very inquisitive when being
driven toward the city, and wanted to have a look round. I managed to
quiet him by giving him pieces of lump sugar. He arrived safely at the
Crystal Palace, and has lived in an aviary till the beginning of last
month, when he was put into his new bear-pit. The little fellow has
grown twice the size he was when he first came. He is very playful, but
sometimes shows his teeth when he is teased.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: JUST ARRIVED!]
[Illustration]
S--THE SWALLOW.
_Now hovering on rapid wing,
Now down to earth, now high,
And, circling round in airy ring
To chase the painted fly._
[Illustration]
T--THE TIGER.
_Fiercest of all the beasts of prey,
With eyes that glow like fire,
And glossy hide, who does not dread
The Tiger, yet admire?_
[Illustration]
U--THE URSINE OPOSSUM.
_In hollow trees the Opossum lives,
And slumbers through the day,
But when the shades of night descend,
Goes forth in search of prey._
A SINGULAR HABIT OF THE WOODCOCK.
Among several curious habits of the woodcock, described by the editor of
the _Zoologist_, its practice of carrying its young is perhaps the most
interesting. The testimony of many competent witnesses is cited to
corroborate the statement. The late L. Lloyd, in his "Scandinavian
Adventures," wrote, "If, in shooting, you meet with a brood of
woodcocks, and the young ones cannot fly, the old bird takes them
separately between her feet, and flies from the dogs with a moaning
cry."
The same author makes a similar statement in another work, this habit of
the woodcock having been observed by a friend.
One of the brothers Stuart gives, in "Lays of the Deer Forest," a
graphic account of the performance. He says, "As the nests are laid on
dry ground, and often at a distance from moisture, in the latter case,
as soon as the young are hatched, the old bird will sometimes carry them
in her claws to the nearest spring or green strip. In the same manner,
when in danger, she will rescue those which she can lift; of this we
have frequent opportunities for observation in Tarnaway. Various times
when the hounds, in beating the ground, have come upon a brood, we have
seen the old bird rise with the young one in her claws and carry it
fifty or a hundred yards away."
THE SKY-LARK
Has any one ever told you that they were "happy as a lark," and have you
stopped to think how happy a lark is?--its joyous flight up into the
sky, as high or higher than the sight of man can reach, singing louder
and louder, and more and more gayly the higher it ascends? When the
sweet hay-time comes on, and mowers are busy in the fields with their
great scythes, it is sometimes a dangerous season for larks, who make
their nests on the ground. Often the poor little nests must suffer; but
only think how ingenious their owners are if they do. A mower once cut
off the upper part of a lark's nest. The lark sitting in it was
uninjured. The man was very sorry for what he had done; but there was no
help for it--at least so he thought. The lark knew better, and soon
afterward a beautiful dome was found made of grass over the nest by the
patient, brave bird.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE SILKWORM.
THE BAT.
CARRION BEETLES.
THE SPIDER.]
[Illustration: THE SYRIAN OX.
THE HORSE.
THE MULE.
THE ARABIAN HORSE.]
THE STORY OF A SEAL.
Some years ago a German Artist was travelling in Norway, on foot, with
his knapsack on his back and his stick in his hand. He lodged most of
time in the cottages that he fell in with on his road. In one of them
there was a seal, which the fisherman had found on the sand, after
harpooning the mother of the poor animal. No sooner was it admitted into
the cottage than the seal became the friend of the family and the
playmate of the children. It played from morning till night with them,
would lick their hands, and call them with a gentle little cry, which is
not unlike the human voice, and it would look at them tenderly with its
large blue eyes, shaded by long black lashes. It almost always followed
its master to fish, swimming around the boat and taking a great many
fish, which it delivered to the fisherman without even giving them a
bite. A dog could not have been more devoted, faithful, teachable, or
even more intelligent.
[Illustration]
THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS.
"What is that, mother?" "The eagle, boy,
Proudly careering his course with joy,
Firm on his own mountain vigor relying,
Breasting the dark storm, the red bolt defying;
His wing on the wind, and his eye on the sun,
He swerves not a hair, but bears onward, right on.
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world he stands;
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls,
He watches from his mountain walls.
Boy, may the eagle's flight ever be thine,
Onward and upward, and true to the line."
[Illustration]
THE BEE.
Oh! busy bee,
On wing so free,
Yet all in order true;
Each seems to know,
Both where to go,
And what it has to do.
'Mid summer heat,
The honey sweet,
It gathers while it may;
In tiny drops,
And never stops
To waste its time in play.
I hear it come,
I know its hum;
It flies from flower to flower;
And to its store,
A little more
It adds, each day and hour.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE LARK AND YOUNG.]
[Illustration]
V--THE VULTURE.
_On rugged rods the Vulture waits
To scent its carrion prey,
When down, into the plains below
It takes its rapid way._
[Illustration]
W--THE WOLF.
_Fierce is the wolf, and crafty too,
And swift of foot is he;
In forest depths and mountain glens
He loves to wander free._
[Illustration]
X--THE XEMA.
_In far-off lands, 'neath northern skies,
And on the surfy shore,
Lives the lone Xema, and delights
In ocean's thunder roar._
MOTHER AND PUPS.
The dog that you see here looking quite maternal with her family around
her, is the sheep dog, the shepherd's faithful and invaluable friend. It
is the most sagacious and intelligent of all dogs, and volumes of
anecdotes might be written of its intelligence and affection.
Mr. St. John, in his "Highland Sports," tells the following: "A shepherd
once, to prove the quickness of his dog, who was lying before the fire
where we were talking, said to me in the middle of a sentence concerning
something else, 'I'm thinking, sir, the cow is in the potatoes;' when
the dog, who appeared to be asleep, immediately jumped up, and leaping
through the open window and on to the roof of the house, where he could
get a view of the potato field, and not seeing the cow there, he looked
into the farm-yard, where she was, and finding that all was right,
returned to his old position before the fire."
[Illustration]
THE FRIENDLY TERNS.
One day Mr. Edward, the Scotch naturalist shot at a Tern, hoping to
secure the beautiful creature as a specimen. The ball broke the bird's
wing, and he fell screaming down to the water. His cries brought other
terns to the rescue, and with pitiful screams they flew to the spot
where the naturalist stood, while the tide drifted their wounded brother
toward the shore. But before Mr. Edward could secure his prize, he
observed, to his astonishment, that two of the terns had flown down to
the water, and were gently lifting up their suffering companion, one
taking hold of either wing. But their burden was rather heavy; so, after
carrying it seaward about six or seven yards, they let it down, and two
more came, picked it up, and carried it a little farther. By means of
thus relieving each other they managed to reach a rock where they
concluded they would be safe.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: AN EXCITING TAIL.]
[Illustration]
Y--THE YAK.
_In Central Asia, far away,
'Mid Thibet's pastures green,
With shaggy hide and bushy tail,
The valued Yak is seen._
[Illustration]
Z--THE ZEBRA.
_As strong and swift as any horse,
The Zebra skims the plain;
With glossy bands of deepest black,
Long ears, and upright mane._
SHEEP AND LAMBS.
_The sheep were in the fold at night;
And now a new-born lamb
Totters and trembles in the light,
Or bleats beside its dam.
How anxiously the mother tries,
With every tender care,
To screen it from inclement skies,
And the cold morning air!
The hail-storm of the east is fled,
She seems with joy to swell;
While ever, as she bends her head,
I hear the tinkling bell.
So while for me a mother's prayer
Ascends to Heaven above,
May I repay her tender care
With gratitude and love._
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE WATER-RAT.
THE WILD CAT.
THE WEASEL.
THE SYRIAN DOG.]
[Illustration: THE GLOW-WORM.
THE LOCUST.
THE HERCULES BEETLE.
THE CHAMELEON.]
[Illustration]
THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL
"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!
Thy fur's as soft as down can be,
Thy teeth as ivory are white,
Yet hard enough through nuts to bite.
"Squirrel--squirrel lithe and wee!
How gladly would I purchase thee--
But mother says: 'Twill never do,
Thou nibblest table, book and shoe.'"
Squirrel--squirrel hung his head;
"Oh! speak not thus," he sadly said,
"Heav'n gave me once a woodland home
Where I the livelong day might roam,
And gaily leap from branch to twig
As blithe and merry as a grig;
Then came a wicked man who laid
The snare by which I'm captive made,
And now 'twill be my mournful doom
Instead of in the forest free,
To live pent in a narrow room
By way of bush or stately tree!
What wonder if, thus sad and lorn,
From all my dearest habits torn,
A-foraging I sometimes go
And get a snubbing or a blow?
Child, should you on some summer's day,
Within the greenwood chance to stray,
I pray you that from me you greet
The happy creatures that you meet,
The fawns, ants, sparrows and the hares
And tell them how with me it fares,
That while they leap, creep, sing and fly.
In chains and prison I must lie."
[Illustration]
A STROLL IN THE COUNTRY
Put on your hat and let us take
A stroll amidst the rural scene--
The boat is gliding o'er the lake,
[Illustration]
The cows are browsing pastures green,
The herdsman's horns the echoes wake,
And holiday like Nature's self we'll make!
[Illustration]
Into the garden next let's come
To pluck a pear or downy plum,
And hear the bird's sweet trilling--
[Illustration: ]
While all around, on fragrant beds,
The flowerets lift their little heads,
The air with perfume filling.
[Illustration: ]
The merry kid is leaping gaily,
And soberer Nanny gives us daily
Sweet milk to make us cheese;
While all our tastes to please,
His nets the busy fisher flings,
And eels and carp for dinner brings.
THE OTTER.
The Otter belongs to a class of animals which we may call the Weasel
tribe. Their bodies are long and lithe, and their legs short. This
family includes the weasel (its smallest member), the stoat, the ferret,
the pole-cat, the marten, and the otter (its largest member). You may
then think of the Otter as a water-ferret, or water-weasel. He can swim
most elegantly, and he is a beautiful diver. Let a fish glide underneath
him, and he is after it in a moment; and as the fish darts here and
there to escape, the Otter follows each rapid movement with unerring
precision. When the fish is caught, the Otter carries it to the bank and
makes a meal. But the Otter is like naughty Jack who leaves a saucy
plate--he spoils much more fish than he eats. The trout and other fish
are so much alarmed at the appearance of an Otter, that they will
sometimes fling themselves on the bank to get out of his way.
[Illustration]
THE MASTIFF.
The mastiff is a large, grave, sullen-looking dog, with a wide chest,
noble head, long switch tail, bright eyes, and a loud, deep voice. Of
all dogs this is the most vigilant watcher over the property of his
master, and nothing can tempt him to betray the confidence reposed in
him. Notwithstanding his commanding appearance, and the strictness with
which he guards the property of his master, the mastiff is possessed of
great mildness of character, and is very grateful for any favors
bestowed upon him. I once went into the barn of a friend where there was
a mastiff chained; I went up to the dog and patted him on the head, when
out rushed the groom from the stable exclaiming, "Come away, sir! He's
dangerous with strangers." But I did not remove my hand nor show any
fear. The consequence was, that the dog and I were the best of friends;
but had I shown any fear, and hastily removed my hand, I might have
fared rather badly, for this dog always couples fear with guilt.
[Illustration]
THE CUNNING WOOD-PIGEONS.
One who loves our feathered friends has described a curious instance of
their instinct. On the back lawn at a gentleman's house, they have a
feeding-box for the pheasants, which opens on their perching upon it,
but remains shut if any lesser bird than a hen pheasant perches there,
which saves the contents from the thefts of these, and of rats, mice,
and other vermin. But the gentleman discovered that the contents of the
box was being more rapidly emptied than the wants of the pheasants
warranted. So he kept a watch on the box, and soon discovered a
wood-pigeon perch on the box, but his weight not being sufficient to
open the lid, he beckoned to another pigeon, and their combined weight
made the lid fly open, and after each had taken what they required, they
flew away, and the box closed with a "click."
[Illustration]
SEA REPTILES.
There were in the sea in very ancient times--long before the flood--two
very large and wonderful reptiles. Of them we present striking
illustrations. One of them has been named the Ichthyosaurus, which means
Fish Reptile. Its head somewhat resembled that of the crocodile, except
that the orbit was much larger, and had the nostril placed close to it,
as in the whale, and not near the end of the snout. It had four paddles
and a powerful tail, and was very active in its movements and a rapid
swimmer.
The other huge reptile was the Plesiosaurus, the meaning of which is
"Near to a Reptile." Its structure was very singular and its character
very strange. In the words of Buckland: "To the head of a lizard, it
united the teeth of the crocodile, a neck of enormous length, resembling
the body of a serpent, a trunk and a tail of the size of an ordinary
quadruped, the ribs of a chameleon, and the paddles of a whale."
[Illustration]
SWISS MOUNTAIN SCENERY.
In Switzerland, one of the chief employments of the people is that of
herdsmen and shepherds, and nearly the half of the surface of the
country is occupied as mountain pastures and meadows. Here you see the
woman tending the sheep and goats, and spinning industriously, while her
husband is busy with some other part of the duties of tending the sheep.
It is often painful to see how much the poor sheep and oxen suffer while
being driven through the streets. It is pitiful to see them looking in
vain for some place of rest and shelter. Little boys in towns sometimes
like to HELP--as they call it--to drive cattle, but they generally
increase the terror and confusion of the poor beasts, and little think
of the pain they are causing. Sheep and goats are very useful to us;
besides serving us for food, they supply our cloth and flannel clothes,
blankets, and other warm coverings.
[Illustration]
PARTRIDGE AND YOUNG.
One afternoon, while walking across a meadow, near a village, I saw a
dog of the terrier breed pursuing a partridge, which every now and then
turned and made at it with its wings down, then rolled over, then ran,
and again rushed at the dog. I drove the dog away, when I was surprised
to see a number of young partridges running from behind the old bird who
had been trying to protect them from the dog, and guarding their
retreat. So you see how brave the most timid creatures become when in
danger, and when their young are near. Instinct tells them that they
have to protect their little ones, and risk everything, even their own
lives, for their safety. We can get beautiful lessons every day from the
birds and poor dumb animals, if we only study them as we ought.
[Illustration]
THE KINGFISHERS' HOME.
Very pretty birds were Mr. and Mrs. Kingfisher, with dark, glossy, green
wings, spotted with light blue. Their tails were also light blue, and
there was a patch of yellow near their heads. The little Kingfishers
were quite as pretty as their parents, and Mr. and Mrs. Kingfisher were
exceedingly proud of them.
"Only they eat a great deal," said Mr. Kingfisher; "I am getting very
tired."
For Mr. Kingfisher had been flying backward and forward all day, and it
was surprising to see the quantity of fish he caught for his family.
When he built his nest he took care that it should be near a stream, and
he found one close by a high cliff that Mrs. Kingfisher said would be
just the place; so they scooped out a deep hole, and there the eggs were
laid, and in due time six little Kingfishers burst out of the shells.
[Illustration]
RATS CARRYING EGGS UP STAIRS.
Rats are very ingenious little creatures; they have actually been known
to convey eggs up a staircase, from the pantry to their nest! Here is a
beautiful picture, by Mr. Harrison Weir, from the "Children's Friend,"
showing how they did it.
The rat bears little resemblance to the rats with which we are chiefly
acquainted, namely, the black rat, the albino or white rat, and the
brown rat. The other day, as I was walking by the river-side, I saw a
beautiful little creature sitting on a stone in the stream, with a piece
of succulent root between its forepaws, and nibbling its repast in
perfect peace with every living thing. It was timid and innocent in the
expression of its countenance. Its color was of a reddish brown. It was
about as large as the common rat of the sewers, but its tail was much
shorter, and covered with hair.
[Illustration]
A HERON ATTACKED BY A HAWK.
The Heron when attacked by an eagle or falcon endeavors to escape by
rising in the air and getting above its foe. The wings of the heron
strike the air with an equal and regular motion which raises its body to
such an elevation that at a distance nothing is seen except the wings,
which are at last lost sight of in the region of the clouds.
If its enemy gets above it, and upon or near its body, it defends itself
vigorously with its long and powerful beak, and often comes off
victorious.
The heron frequents the neighborhood of rivers and lakes. Almost always
solitary, it remains for hours motionless on the same spot. When seeking
the fish or frogs on which it chiefly feeds, the heron wades into the
water, folds its long neck partially over its back and forward again,
and with watchful eye waits till a fish comes within reach of its beak,
when it darts its head into the water and secures its slimy, slippery
prey.
[Illustration]
A HORSE GUARDIAN.
On one occasion a gentleman was returning home from a fatiguing journey,
and became very drowsy. He fell asleep, and, strange to say, he also
fell from his saddle, but in so easy a manner that the tumble did not
rouse him, and lay sleeping on where he alighted. His faithful steed, on
being eased of his burden, instead of scampering home as one might have
expected, stood by his prostrate master, and kept a strict watch over
him. Some laborers at sunrise found him very contentedly snoozing on a
heap of stones. They wished to approach the gentleman, that they might
awaken him, but every attempt on their part was resolutely opposed by
the grinning teeth and ready heels of his determined and faithful
guardian. They called out loudly, and the gentleman awoke and was very
much surprised at his position, while his faithful horse showed his
pleasure by neighing and scraping his feet on the ground. The gentleman
then mounted, and they galloped away at great speed, both glad to be
able to make up for lost time.
[Illustration]
BATTLE BETWEEN A FOX AND A SWAN.
A fierce battle between a fox and a swan took place at Sherborne Park.
Master Reynard seems to have caught the old swan napping, and to have
seized him by the throat. The bird defended himself with his wings so
powerfully that its assailant was done to death in no time, and a
workman going past the lake above the bridge next morning found both fox
and swan lying dead together. The bird had received a fatal bite in the
throat; the fox had one leg broken and the side of its head completely
broken in. The swan was the oldest bird on the lake.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE SAND LIZARD.
THE CROCODILE.
THE VIPER.
THE ASP.]
[Illustration: THE WILD BOAR.
THE BADGER.
THE FERRET.
THE LYNX.]
TOUSY.
We have a beautiful long-haired little dog called Tousy, which lately
had a pup. This queer little bantling was jumping and tumbling about the
green one day, when a lady entered followed by a dog. Tousy made a
ferocious assault on the four-footed stranger, by way of defending her
young, and our magnificent white cat, which was sitting on the doorstep,
seeing or supposing that his friend Tousy was in danger, made two
immense bounds, and alighted on the back of the intruder, whose eyes
would have been scratched out but for prompt rescue. The mutual
affection of these two animals is unbounded, and yet we hear human
disagreements compared to cat-and-dog life! These animals, and many
others, are capable of the most devoted affection to their young, and to
their mates, and frequently teach us lessons of kindness to one
another.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE NEST IN THE APPLE TREE.]
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